News

Opium found in Pleasant Hill man's luggage, customs officials say

By Katie Nelson

Contra Costa Times

Posted:
03/08/2013 02:37:51 PM PST

Updated:
03/08/2013 05:50:32 PM PST

STERLING, Va. -- A Pleasant Hill man was arrested last week after Customs and Border Protection officers discovered nearly five ounces of opium in shampoo and lotion bottles in his luggage, according to an agency spokesperson.

Mehdi Moshirian, 63, was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Washington Dulles International Airport on March 1, according to the agency's spokesman Steve Sapp.

Moshirian had flown in from Frankfurt, Germany, and was turned over to Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority police.

Moshirian arrived from Frankfurt late Feb. 28 and was referred to a secondary examination when an x-ray detected anomalies in two shampoo bottles and in one container of lotion, Sapp said.

CBP officers went through the luggage and took out baggies of a white substance that field-tested positive for opium.

The opium weighed 4.9 ounces, which has an approximate street value of about $4,000.

"We remain hopeful that the threat of detection and criminal charges deters others from attempting to smuggle illicit narcotics through Washington Dulles International Airport," said Christopher Hess, CBP Port Director for the Port of Washington Dulles.